What Causes a Sharp Pain in Your Head That Lasts a Few Seconds?

Sharp, brief head pain can have several causes, including primary stabbing (“ice pick”) headache and certain nerve-related pain. The timing alone cannot identify the cause. Primary stabbing headaches have been reported with widely varying frequency and often occur without warning. Some people notice triggers, but many episodes have no clear trigger. Primary stabbing headaches often last only a few seconds and may occur once or repeatedly, although longer attacks can occur. Many brief stabbing headaches are not dangerous. However, a headache that reaches severe intensity suddenly—especially within seconds to a minute—needs emergency medical attention. Seek urgent help as well if headache occurs with weakness, numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, vision loss, fever with neck stiffness, or after a head injury.